As predicted

For anybody holding out misplaced hope that the Libs might try to improve the Cons' budget implementation legislation on pay equity or any other issue, Michael Ignatieff is shutting down the possibility and requiring his party's MPs to support the bill sight unseen:

Having cast their protest vote Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed that Ignatieff now expects the Newfoundland MPs to support the budget on all subsequent votes, including the budget implementation bill.

Moreover, he's told the MPs they can't attempt to amend the bill, which is to be introduced this week.

And all this just as word comes out that the budget which the Libs just supported is likely off base in its deficit assumptions. Which would seem to signal that the only change from Stephane Dion's reign to Ignatieff's is that while Dion usually at least hinted at voting against the Cons before caving, Ignatieff is stomping out even the possibility of holding the Harper government's actions up to scrutiny.